Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has emphasized the strategic importance of the “Kuq e Zi” railway, a flagship project set to connect Durrës with Prishtina. Addressing claims that the initiative was timed for electoral gain, Rama clarified that the project has been publicly presented at every phase, including during joint government meetings between Albania and Kosovo.
“This project has been introduced throughout its development, including in a joint government session. It’s entering a new phase now, with the route selected via Shkodra through Gjakova to Prishtina, which has proven to be the most viable,” Rama stated.
He added that while cost estimates will come from a detailed study by international experts, approved by the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), one thing is clear:
“Without funding, there will be no railway. Whether it gets completed depends on those designing the future.”
Rama also laid out broader railway development plans for Albania and the region, noting that this new push follows years of underinvestment and lack of credibility in the eyes of the EU and international banks. That, he said, has changed.
He listed key railway projects already underway or planned before 2030:
- Tirana–Rinas–Durrës: Near completion.
- Durrës–Hani i Hotit: Work starts this year.
- Rrogozhinë–Pogradec, Durrës–Rrogozhinë, Corridor VIII, Durrës–Fier, and Fier–Vlorë: All slated to begin by the end of the decade.
“These projects will be in different stages of construction by no later than 2030, and in the early 2030s, you’ll be able to use them,” Rama affirmed.
The “Kuq e Zi” railway is being positioned as a transformative regional connector, enhancing trade, mobility, and Albania-Kosovo integration.
